Reusable gift bows and method of using same

ABSTRACT

A reusable gift bow comprising a bow having a bottom surface, and a clip having an upper clamp member, the upper clamp member having an upper clamp member upper surface, wherein the bottom surface of the bow is fixedly mounted to the upper clamp member upper surface of the upper clamp member, whereby the reusable gift bow can be attached and released from a gift package or wrapping repeatedly without degradation or destruction of the bow.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Disclosure Document No. 462033, filed Sep. 13, 1999, andProvisional Patent Application No. 60/173,838, filed Dec. 30, 1999.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

[0003] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The described invention relates to the attachment of gift bows topackages by means of a clip and the method of using same.Conventionally, individuals must use tape or one-time-use adhesivebacked strips to hold the gift bow on a present or package. This usuallyresults in the bow being dislodged and possibly lost where tape isemployed or thrown away with the wrapping paper where the adhesivebacked strip is employed. The present invention overcomes these problemsby providing a reusable securement clip for bows.

[0005] This invention eliminates the high cost of throwing awayexpensive bows. The reusable method is cost efficient. The combinationof clips and bows can be mixed and matched, and a fun way of wrapping.These bows are so convenient and versatile for use on bags, toys, etc.as decoration.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The described invention provides an improved securement means forgift bows to presents and packages. As such, the general purpose of thedescribed invention is to provide a new and improved reusable securementmeans for bows that has economic and functional advantages over theexisting means.

[0007] The present invention provides a reusable clip securement thatfacilitates the efficient application of bows to wrapped packages andpresents, without the manipulation of tape, twist ties and adhesivestrips. The invention allows for the selection of large or small bows,different colors, and placement of the gift bow anywhere on the packageand present. Not only is the present invention easy to attach, but alsoeasy to deattach from the package for reuse, thereby eliminating wasteand the cost of replacing bows.

[0008] One of the novel design features of the described invention isthat spare clips and bows can be purchased to extend the life of thereusable gift bow, thereby, reducing the gift bow cost to the consumer.Spare multi-color, sized clips and bows can be packaged in lightweight,durable, and recyclable plastic containers. No more throwing away moneywith the old method of using bows.

[0009] Representative embodiments of the concepts of the describedinvention are illustrated in the drawings. Clips can be made of plasticor metal materials, and color coded with bow and ribbon colors. Theclips should be sized in proportion with the bow, and approximately thelength and width dimensions of the current adhesive-backed strip.

[0010] Important features of the clip include a thin coating of rubberor equivalent frictional substance for the purpose of gripping thecontact surfaces, a pointed tip to pierce all types of gift wrappingpaper (regular, foil, plastic or coated), and flat surfaces for thesecurement of the bow bottom surface to the clip top surface. Where theribbon is interposed between the top and bottom clip, the coated clipsurfaces can assist in securing the ribbon so it will not shift or movefrom its desired position. The fixedly attachable means to secure thebow to the clip can be a glue substance (Super Glue™), hook & eyedevices (Velcro™), or double-sided reusable/replaceable adhesive strips.When the glued bow detaches from the clip, the bow can be re-adhered tothe clip with the application a glue substance or equivalent. There areequivalent repair procedures for the hook & eye devices andreusable/replaceable adhesive strips. It is favorable to select a meansthat allows for maximum flexibility for future repairs or replacementsof the bow or clip.

[0011] It is an object of the described invention to provide a new andimproved reusable securement means for bows to presents and packagesthat have all the advantages of the prior art adhesive securement stripsand none of the disadvantages.

[0012] It is another object of the described invention to provide a newand improved reusable securement means for bows to presents and packagesthat may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

[0013] It is a further object of the described invention to provide anew and improved reusable securement means for bows to presents andpackages which are of a durable and reliable construction designed forrepeated use with replacement clips and bows available to maximize theuse of the gift bow.

[0014] An even further object of the described invention is to provide anew and improved reusable securement means for bows to presents andpackages which are susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regardto both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptibleof low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such giftbow economically available to the buying public.

[0015] Still another object of the described invention is to provide anew and improved reusable securement means for bows to presents andpackages for efficiently and neatly securing a bow and ribbon on awrapped present or package.

[0016] These together with other objects of the invention, along withthe various features of novelty that characterize the invention, arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and the specific objectives attained by itsuses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings anddescriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodimentsof the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The invention will be better understood and objects other thanthose set forth herein will become apparent when consideration is givento the following detailed description thereof. Such description makesreference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0018]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention 10

[0019]FIG. 2 is a side view in detail of the clip 14

[0020]FIG. 3 is a top view of the Upper Clamp member 16

[0021]FIG. 4 is a view of the bow bottom surface 38

[0022]FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the Lower Stationary member 18

[0023]FIG. 6 is an illustration of the operation of the reusable giftbow 10

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] With reference to the drawings, a new reusable gift bow embodyingthe principles and concepts of the present invention and generallydesignated by the reference number 10 will be described.

[0025] The main embodiment of the reusable gift bow 10 includes a bow 12and a clip 14, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The clip 14 is typical of manyclips that are found in commerce and available to the general public.The preferred embodiment illustrates a clip 14 that snaps together tofirmly hold gift-wrapping paper. However, any clip that performs thesame clamping function is adequate.

[0026] The preferred embodiment clip 14 is illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 2provides a side view of the clip 14 with an upper clamp member 16 and alower stationary member 18. The members are generally elongated and madeof suitable thin plastic or sheet metal, and are hard coated with apolymer (or equivalent substance) with color pigmentation. The upperclamp member lower surface 20 and stationary member lower stationaryupper surface 22 are coated with an additional hard substance of highfriction coefficient for improved clamping and adhesion. The structureof the upper clamp member 16 has a longitudinally convex curve 24extending away from the lower stationary member 18. The length and widthof the upper clamp member 16 and lower stationary member 18 arepredetermined for optimized clamping of the gift-wrap disposed betweenthe two members. When the reusable gift bow 10 is in the open position,there is a gap 26 between the upper clamp member 16 and the lowerstationary member 18. The preferred embodiment of the clip 14 can bemade out of one-piece of material. However, an alternative embodimentincludes the two members fixedly attached at the clip back end 28.

[0027] As illustrated in FIG. 3, Upper clamp member 16 comprises anupper clamp member aft end 30 and an upper clamp member front end 32,which tapers inwardly into an upper clamp member curved tip 34. Upperclamp member upper surface 36 is sized to mount bow 12. Bow bottomsurface 38, as illustrated in FIG. 4, is fixedly attached to upper clampmember upper surface 36 by glue, adhesive, hook-and-eye device, orequivalent. These attachment applications make for easy repair ofdislodged bows from the clip 14.

[0028] The structure of the lower stationary member 18 is such that itdefines a generally planar projection 40 with a lower stationary memberrear portion 42, lower stationary member front portion 44, lowerstationary upper surface 22, and lower stationary lower surface 48. Thefront portion of the planar projection 40 tapers inwardly into a lowerstationary member rounded tip 46.

[0029] An alternative clip embodiment (not shown) includes a biasingmechanism, to act like a spring, connected to the upper clamp member aftend 30 to the lower stationary member rear portion 42 to impose a normalforce acting upon the upper clamp member lower surface 20 and the lowerstationary upper surface 22. As discussed above, the clip 14 can be oneof many clips that are found in commerce and available to the generallypublic. Any clip that performs the same function of clamping thegift-wrapping disposed between the upper clamp member lower surface 20and the lower stationary upper surface 22 is adequate.

[0030] Another utility for the reusable gift bow 10 is the securement ofa ribbon (not shown) interposed between the upper clamp member 16 andthe wrapping paper. Though, the ribbon is primarily secured by othermeans such as tape or being tied, the clamping action of the reusablegift bow 10 will hold the ribbon in place at a fixed position therebyavoiding ribbon slippage and maintaining the desired ornamental effect.Clips with color coating can be used separately to hold ribbon in place.

[0031] Other variations and modifications are of course contemplated tobe within the range of protection defined by this patent. Variations insize, shape, form, function, materials or color and manner of operation,assembly and use are deemed obvious to one skilled in the art.

[0032] Operation and use of the attachment mechanism of the invention issimple and straightforward. To open the reusable gift bow 10, hold thelower stationary member 18 firmly with the thumb and forefinger, asillustrated in FIG. 6. With the other hand push up on the upper clampmember tip with the forefinger until gap 26 is created.

[0033] With the reusable gift bow 10 in the open position, hold thelower stationary member 18 firmly with the thumb and forefinger, asillustrated in FIG. 6. Pierce the gift-wrap of many different materials(regular paper, foil, plastic, and coated) with lower stationary memberrounded tip 46 at the desired location. Gap 26 will be sufficient toinsert stationary member 16 into the slit made in the gift-wrap by lowerstationary member rounded tip 46. Once stationary member 16 is fullyinserted into the slit, firmed hold the clip back end 28 with the thumband forefinger of one hand. With the other hand push down the upperclamp member curved tip 34 with the forefinger to close the gap 26between the lower stationary member 18 and upper clamp member 16,whereby, the gift bow 10 is secured to the gift-wrap.

[0034] To release the reusable gift bow 10 from the paper or package,firmed hold clip back end 28 with the thumb and forefinger of one handas was done during the closing operation. With the other hand, push upon the upper clamp member curved tip 34 with sufficient force until theupper clamp member 16 lifts up creating gap 26 to remove the reusablegift bow 10 from the paper or packaging slit. Then unwrap present,retrieve the gift bow and ribbon, and store both for future wrapping.

[0035] Where a ribbon is attached to the package or present, place thereusable gift bow 10 in proximity of the ribbon such that the ribbon canbe interposed between upper clamp member 16 and wrapping paper.

[0036] With respect to the above description, it is realized that theoptimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, toinclude variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and mannerof operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent to oneskilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to thoseillustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0037] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only ofthe principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modificationsand changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

[0038] Accordingly, it can be seen that the reusable gift bow is aversatile, cost efficient invention that overcomes the limitations ofpreviously taught gift bows.

[0039] Although the description above contains many specificities, theseshould not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but asmerely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferredembodiments of this invention. Various other embodiments andramifications are possible within it's scope. Thus the scope of theinvention should be determined by the claims in the regular applicationand their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

I claim:
 1. A reusable gift bow comprises: (a) a bow having a bottomsurface; and (b) a clip having an upper clamp member, the upper clampmember having an upper clamp member upper surface, wherein the bottomsurface of the bow is fixedly mounted to the upper clamp member uppersurface of the upper clamp member; whereby the reusable gift bow can beattached and released from a gift package or wrapping repeatedly withoutdegradation or destruction of the bow.
 2. A reusable gift bow as recitedin claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of the bow is fixedly mounted tothe upper clamp member upper surface of the upper clamp member by usingglue, hook-&-eye, adhesive, or double-side tape or combinations thereof.3. A reusable gift bow as recited in claim 1, wherein the clip furthercomprises a lower stationary member to secure the reusable gift bow togift-wrapping paper, whereby the gift-wrapping paper is disposed betweenthe upper clamp member and the lower stationary member through a gapformed when the members are separated.
 4. A reusable gift bow as recitedin claim 3, wherein the lower stationary member further comprises arounded tip to puncture the gift-wrapping paper, whereby the lowerstationary member is inserted into the puncture to clamp thegift-wrapping paper between the upper clamp member and the lowerstationary member.
 5. A reusable gift bow as recited in claim 1, whereinthe upper clamp member further comprises a lower surface, the lowersurface is coated with a hard substance of high friction coefficient forimproved clamping and adhesion of the gift-wrapping paper, wherebypreventing the reusable gift bow from sliding and dislodging from thepackage.
 6. A reusable gift bow as recited in claim 4, wherein the lowerstationary member further comprises an upper surface, the upper surfaceis coated with a hard substance of high friction coefficient forimproved clamping and adhesion of the gift-wrapping paper, wherebypreventing the reusable gift bow from sliding and dislodging from thepackage.
 7. A reusable gift bow as recited in claim 3, wherein the lowerstationary member and the upper clamp member are sized for optimumclamping force on the gift-wrapping paper, whereby preventing thereusable gift bow from sliding and dislodging from package.
 8. Areusable gift bow as recited in claim 1, wherein the upper clamp memberupper surface is sized to mount the bow.
 9. A reusable gift bow asrecited in claim 1, wherein the clip is made of material selected fromthe group consisting of plastic, sheet metal, or combinations thereof.10. A reusable gift bow comprises: (a) a bow having a bottom surface;and (b) a clip having an upper clamp member and a lower stationarymember capable of applying sufficient clamping force on the gift packageor wrapping when placed therebetween to thereby enable the reusable giftbow to be selectively attached to the gift package or wrapping, whereinthe gift-wrapping paper is disposed between the upper clamp member andthe lower stationary member through a gap formed when the members areseparated, whereby securing the reusable gift bow to the gift-wrappingpaper; (c) the clip is fixedly mounted to the bow by using glue,hook-&-eye device, adhesive, or double-side tape, or combinationsthereof; (d) the lower stationary member is a planar projection having alower stationary member rear portion, a lower stationary member frontportion, a lower stationary upper surface, wherein the front portion ofthe planar projection tapers inwardly into a lower stationary memberrounded tip to puncture the gift-wrapping paper, whereby the lowerstationary member can be inserted into the puncture to clamp thegift-wrapping paper between the upper clamp member and the lowerstationary member, wherein the lower stationary upper surface is coatedwith a hard substance of high friction coefficient for improved clampingand adhesion of the gift-wrapping paper to prevent the reusable gift bowfrom sliding and dislodging from package, wherein the lower stationarymember length and width are predetermined for optimized clamping,wherein the lower stationary member is made of material selected fromthe group consisting of plastic or sheet metal or combinations thereof;and (e) the upper clamp member having a longitudinally convex curvedportion, an upper clamp upper surface, an upper clamp member aft end, anupper clamp member front end, an upper clamp member lower surface,wherein the longitudinally convex curved portion curves away from thelower stationary member rounded tip, wherein the bottom surface of thebow is fixedly mounted to the upper clamp member upper surface, whereinthe upper clamp member lower surface is coated with a hard substance ofhigh friction coefficient for improved clamping and adhesion of thegift-wrapping paper to prevent the reusable gift bow from sliding anddislodging from a package, wherein the upper clamp member length andwidth are predetermined for optimized clamping, wherein the upper clampmember front end tapers inwardly into a upper clamp member curved tip,wherein the upper clamp member upper surface is sized to mount bow,wherein the upper clamp member is made of material selected from thegroup consisting of plastic or sheet metal or combinations thereof;whereby the reusable gift bow can be attached and released from a giftpackage or wrapping repeatedly without degradation or destruction of thebow.
 11. A method for selectively attaching a reusable gift bow to agift package or wrapping, comprising the following steps: (a) providinga reusable gift bow which includes a bow having a bottom surface, and aclip with an upper clamp member and a lower stationary member aligned ina generally parallel manner, wherein the upper clamp and lowerstationary members each having an upper and a lower surface, wherein thelower stationary includes a rounded tip, wherein the upper clamp andlower stationary members capable of applying sufficient clamping forceon the gift package or wrapping when placed therebetween to enable thereusable gift bow to be selectively attached to the gift package orwrapping; (b) puncturing the gift package or wrapping with the roundedtip of the lower stationary member (c) inserting the lower stationarymember into the puncture of the gift package or wrapping; and (d)closing the clip to selectively attach the reusable gift bow to the giftpackage or wrapping.
 12. A method as recited in claim 11, whereinproviding a reusable gift bow further includes the upper surface of theupper clamp member being attached to the bow bottom surface by usingglue, hook-&-eye device, adhesive, double-sided tape or combinationsthereof.
 13. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein providing areusable gift bow further includes a coating of a hard substance of highfrictional coefficient on the lower surface of the upper clamp member.14. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein providing a reusable giftbow further includes a coating of a hard substance of high frictionalcoefficient on the lower surface of the lower stationary member.
 15. Areusable gift bow comprises: (a) a bow having a bottom surface; (b) aclip having an upper clamp member, the upper clamp member having anupper clamp member upper surface, wherein the bottom surface of the bowis fixedly mounted to the upper clamp member upper surface of the upperclamp member; and (c) a means for fixedly mounting the bottom surface ofthe bow to the upper clamp member upper surface of the upper clampmember; whereby the reusable gift bow can be attached and released froma gift package or wrapping repeatedly without degradation or destructionof the bow.
 16. A reusable gift bow as recited in claim 15, wherein themeans for fixedly mounting the bottom surface of the bow to the upperclamp member upper surface of the upper clamp member is selected fromthe group consisting of glue, hook & eye device, adhesive, anddouble-sided tape.
 17. A reusable gift bow as recited in claim 15,wherein the means for fixedly mounting the bottom surface of the bow tothe upper clamp member upper surface of the upper clamp member is glue.18. A reusable gift bow as recited in claim 15, wherein the means forfixedly mounting the bottom surface of the bow to the upper clamp memberupper surface of the upper clamp member is a hook & eye device.
 19. Areusable gift bow as recited in claim 15, wherein the means for fixedlymounting the bottom surface of the bow to the upper clamp member uppersurface of the upper clamp member is adhesive.
 20. A reusable gift bowas recited in claim 15, wherein the for fixedly mounting the bottomsurface of the bow to the upper clamp member upper surface of the upperclamp member is double-sided tape.